Life-preserver.



G. R. BOATRIGHT. LIFE PRESERVE-R.

I APPLIOATION FILED D110. 27, 1910.

1,053,472. Patented Feb. 18,1913.

- Y if 3 Z 3 V p 5,, I 0124 2 y 2 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASH|NOTON. D. C.

CHARLES R. BOATRIGHT, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

LIFE- PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18,1913.

Application filed. December 27, 1910. Serial No. 599,603.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. BOAT- RIGHT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful Life-Preserver, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to make a reliable life preserver that will never sink and can be carried by steamboats, or by each steamboat passenger in a suitcase. It is inexpensive and there is no mechanism to get out of order.

Figure 1, is a perspective View of the frame of the life preserver. Fig. 2, is a perspective view of one box fastened to the frame. Fig. 3, is a view of one ,end stretcher. Fig. 4, 1s a vlew of one side frame.

Fig. 1, is a perspective view of the life preserver frame opened up and ready for use. This life preserver frame is formed of four independent frames hinged together at the corners.

As shown in the drawing letters represent parts as follows :A, canvas boxes and metal frames. B, sides of boxes. G, ends of boxes showing hinges that permit them to fold together. D, dotted lines indicating boxes closing. E, E hinges connecting the 4 boxes, the central hinges E being extension hinges permitting the final folding of the frame. F, lock or catch that fastens the boxes around the body. A rod with a fishhook point. G, straps to buckle around the body. H, straps for shoulders. I, adjusting straps fastened to the frame. J, canvas seat. K, cork holes tolet the air in and out of boxes. Boxes may be partly filled with air so that when suitcase is open they spring in position, but these boxes are not air boxes and are not intended for blowing up. The cork hole should be 5 inches in diameter so boxes could be filled with food and Valuables. Said hole can be very small or dispensed with altogether. L, metal pipe in which the metal frame is in serted making a hinge, or a hinge can be fastened to the end stretcher. Each of these independent frames is about 15 inches square making the total diameter of the life preserver about 45 inches, space of about 15 inches passenger is seated.

The inside, (the part that rests against the body), of the first independent frame, (the first box on the left from the opening corner), folds against the inside of the second independent frame.

The inside of the fourth independent frame folds against the inside of the third independent frame.

The outside of the first independent frame folds against the outside of the fourth independent frame.

Each box is provided with inwardly operating hinges midway of each side.

Before folding life preserver frame each independent frame is folded by pushing the end frame at the hinge together which leaving an incloseol square in which the forces the independent sides together and collapses the canvas boxes. The life preserver is then completely folded, being about 5 inches thick, fifteen inches long and fifteen inches broad.

The frame of the life preserver is fastened around the body with a lock or catch.

In the bottom of the life preserver frame is a canvas seat also a strap to buckle be,- tween the legs so the occupant can not slide out.

011 the top of the life preserver frame are two shoulder straps and a strap to buckle around the body under the arms making it impossible for the occupant to get out of position, and at the same time allowing free use of legs and arms. This preserver is put on as one would a cork life preserver. The occupant sits in the seat as in a chair one box in front, one box behind and one box on each side riding on top of the water.

In each box is suflicient air to partly stretch it and if the user is plunged into the water before he can straighten the end stretchers it will float and he can straighten them later.

I claim- 1. A life preserver having the configuration of a cross when extended, said life preserver comprising four collapsible and foldable frames inclosing air chambers the inner Walls of the frame forming a space for the ing outwardly from said inner frame and occupants seat. inclosing flexible air chambers.

2. A life-preserver comprising a foldable CHARLES R BOATRIGHT inner frame, composed'of a plurality of 5 hinged sections and forming when extended Witnessesz' a space for theoccnpants seat, and a plu- HENRY P. TRIooU, rality of hinged collapsible frames extend- MARTIN RASOHEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

